Detroit Gets Southeast Asian Wonderland
Detroit's downtown core just welcomed Sunda, a new Southeast Asian restaurant described as a "wonderland" for pan-Asian cuisine fans. The restaurant features a menu spanning traditional and contemporary dishes from across the region in a visually captivating setting. It's part of Detroit's evolving dining landscape as the city continues its urban renaissance.
Sunda's arrival in Detroit is the latest venture for founder Billy Dec, an Emmy Award-winning TV personality and restaurateur. Of Filipino-American heritage, Dec has infused the Sunda concept with inspiration from his family and decades of travel throughout Southeast Asia. He has also served as a presidential appointee on the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders. The new 6,000-square-foot restaurant is located at 33 W. Columbia St. in The District Detroit, a pedestrian-friendly area between the Fox Theatre and Little Caesars World Headquarters. The interior design, a collaboration between Studio K, McIntosh Poris Associates, and Sachse Construction, blends Tokyo street style with Southeast Asian craftsmanship and features a resin flower art installation inspired by both Japanese cherry blossoms and Michigan apple blossoms. The menu is a creation of Pampanga-born Culinary Director Mike Morales and Tokyo-native Head Sushi Chef Ise Matsunobu. Signature dishes include Oxtail Potstickers, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, and a 3lb Japanese Wagyu Tomahawk steak. The bar offers craft cocktails, premium sakes, Asian beers, and Japanese whiskies. This marks the fifth Sunda location, joining two in Chicago and one each in Nashville and Tampa. The original Chicago restaurant opened in 2009 and has attracted a celebrity clientele that includes Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, and Michael Jordan. Dec has said that for years, they have felt a lot of love from Michigan guests at their Chicago locations. The Detroit establishment, which will employ around 100 people, is situated on a pedestrian-only street that also houses establishments like Frita Batidos and Mom's Spaghetti. Dec has noted this location is different from their others, which are in areas with dense daily foot traffic, and that Sunda is betting on the event-driven crowds from the nearby theaters and sports venues.
